Dodging the Crowds, Burning in the Streets

Gallerie dell’Accademia, Venezia

People mill around in one of the rooms in Venice’s Accademia Gallery, Dorsoduro, Venezia, Italy, September 2016.

Below is a detail from the painting on the far wall, by Tiziano Vecellio, “La prezentazione della Vergine al Tempio con i confratelli della Scuola Grande della Caritá” (1534-1538). Translated, it means, “The presentation of the Virgin in the temple with the members of the Confraternity of charity.” After two weeks in Italy, I pretty much could translate that in my head, except I’d have thought it was “with the brotherhood of the Great School of Charity.” Whatever. It’s a glorious, impactful painting, as you can see from the reaction of the people below.